For the last 10 years, the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) has been wowing legions of bicycle enthusiasts by providing an open venue for the
army of artisan frame builders. This year, in partnership with
Gates Carbon drive systems, they sponsored a special e-bike
exhibit where a select group of renowned frame builders
could create an electric bike of their own design. The builders
had access to a selection of power systems (Bosch, BionX,
SRAM) and drivetrains (Shimano, NuVinci) to choose from,
and the results were, to say the least, amazing.

Gates spokesman Paul Tolme was more than pleased
with the showcase. “We think the Gates carbon belt drive
is a natural fit for the e-bike market. Like e-bikes, belt-drive
transmissions are quiet and clean and really adapt well with
the kind of transportation needs that e-bikes fill. It was also
a goal of ours to introduce e-bike technology to the custom
builders. We had no idea how this would turn out, but by
looking at the diversity of bikes on display, it’s easy to say
that it exceeded all our expectations.”

ALL CHARGED UP
WITH EVERYWHERE TO GO

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show provides a glimpse
into the future of what e-bikes can be

World-renowned builder Robert English is adamant about not driving a car, and so when it
came time to design a bike that he and his wife could use to ferry groceries in the hills of
Portland, Oregon, he designed this cargo bike that rolls on 24-inch wheels. Robert also used
a titanium seat tube to experiment with added ride compliance. www.englishcyclies.com